MR. CATHCART WASONI beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can inquire how many persons are annually sent from the mainland to the Island of St. Thomé to labour on the plantations; and whether any ever return.
§ SIR EDWARD GREYThe latest statistics show that dining the first ten months of 1905, 3,373 labourers entered the islands of San Thomé and Principe, but we have no information as to the numbers entering in the last two months of that year or as to the distribution between the two islands. Under the old regulations no arrangements were made for the repatriation of the labourers, but under the regulations of 1903, which are now in force, this state of things has been changed. The first contracts entered into under these regulations will not expire until next year.
§ SIR EDWARD GREYI am not aware.
§ MR. MITCHELL-THOMSONDoes the same condition apply to the Island of Principe?
§ SIR EDWARD GREYI will inquire.